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MEDIA BYTES

By Rev. Maraty Levesque

WE'VE ALL SEEN IT: the church social media feed that looks like a glossy vacation brochure. Sunsets, perfectly staged coffee cups, and quotes about "living your best life" in a font that’s a little too bubbly for a Monday morning.

For years, we’ve leaned into a brand of digital positivity that feels, frankly, a bit thin. We thought that to attract people, we had to show them a version of the Church that was perpetually winning. But as we scroll through our feeds in the spring of 2026, that "everything is fine" narrative is hitting a wall.

Between the surge in the cost of living, the complexities of our local housing crisis here in Ontario, and a general sense of algorithm fatigue, people are developing a sharp nose for anything that feels manufactured. They aren't looking for a "vibe" anymore; they are looking for Realistic Optimism. They don't want a faith that ignores the struggle; they want a faith that knows how to get through and survive struggles.

Toxic positivity, the idea that we should maintain a positive outlook no matter how tough the circumstances, is the enemy of genuine evangelism. When we only post the "shiny" parts of parish life, we inadvertently send a message to our neighbours throughout the Diocese of Huron: You only belong here if you’re doing well.

Evangelism in 2026 isn't about being the loudest cheerleader in the feed. It’s about being the most honest witness.

Realistic Optimism is a grit-filled hope. It’s the theology of the Resurrection viewed through the reality of the Saturday before. On our social media, this means moving away from the broadcast of success and toward the witness of presence. For instance:

  • Instead of just a photo of the finished Easter flowers, post a photo of the muddy boots of the people who planted them.

  • A 30-second video of a parishioner talking about how they found peace during a stressful week at work is infinitely more powerful than a stock photo with a Bible verse.

  • Show the church at work in the local context. Whether it's the Walking Group in Grand Bend or the community meal prep in Kitchener, show the effort. Show the sweat. Show that we are a community that rolls up its sleeves.

This "Realistic Optimism" isn't new. It’s the foundational DNA of the Church. In Acts 11:19-26, the church was scattered not because things were going well, but because of persecution. They were displaced, uncertain, and likely exhausted.

Yet, it was in that very scattering that the Gospel took root in Antioch. They didn't have a marketing budget or a shiny digital brand. They had their presence and their persistence. They didn't ignore the tragedy of Stephen’s death; they simply refused to let it be the final word. It was their "realistic optimism" that was so compelling that it earned them a new name. It was in Antioch, amidst the grit of their reality, that the disciples were first called Christians.

So, as we post our updates from Waterloo, London, or the shores of Lake Huron this month, let’s remember that our most evangelistic asset isn't our ability to look like we have it all together. It’s our ability to show that even when life is hard, the "hand of the Lord" is still with us (Acts 11:21).

In a world that is doomscrolling through a dark valley, let’s offer a different kind of feed. Let’s be the ones who post the muddy boots, the honest prayers, and the small, local victories. Let’s show the world that hope isn't a glossy filter, it’s a practice of grit. Because in 2026, the most radical thing a Christian can be is a person who is realistically optimistic in a fractured world.

Rev. Marty Levesque is the rector of All Saints’ in Waterloo. He served as diocesan social media officer.

martylevesque@diohuron.org